The Trump admin considers paying air traffic controllers during shutdown to prevent flight chaos, costing over $500M monthly.

Amid concerns that a potential mass sickout could disrupt air travel, the Trump administration is exploring ways to pay air traffic controllers during the ongoing government shutdown. Controllers, who have not been paid since receiving partial paychecks last week, are facing financial hardship while the FAA reports staffing shortages that have already led to reduced traffic flow. Officials are considering alternative funding, such as budget reallocations, to cover the estimated $500 million monthly cost, but no specific plan has been confirmed, echoing past shutdowns that ended partly due to sickouts.